New music tech gear of the month: review round-up (November 2013)
All of October's software, keyboard, controller and interface reviews
Axis Plugins Match EQ
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A great addition to the Axis roster, Match EQ does what it claims effectively, though it should be handled with care."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Axis Plugins Match EQ review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 196)
Zynaptiq Unfilter
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A powerful sonic weapon for evening out wonky mixes and recordings, but one that needs to be wielded responsibly."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Zynaptiq Unfilter review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 196)
BUY: Zynaptiq Unfilter currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Korg Volca Keys
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The Volca synth is revolutionary at this price point. Everybody should own one!"
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Korg Volca Keys review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 271)
BUY: Korg Volca Keys currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
IK Multimedia iRig Pro
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"It might be on the pricey side, but the iRig Pro could meet all your iOS interfacing requirements at a stroke."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia iRig Pro review
BUY: IK Multimedia iRig Pro currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
EastWest Stormdrum 3
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Stormdrum 3 combines stellar sounds with exceptional playability. For big, beautiful drums and percussion, you simply won't find better."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: EastWest Stormdrum 3 review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 196)
BUY: EastWest Stormdrum 3 currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater
UVI WaveRunner
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A huge collection of bright, bold, up-front patches. You'll certainly get plenty of mileage out of WaveRunner's lovingly curated archive of classic sounds."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: UVI WaveRunner review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 196)
Klanghelm DC8C 2
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A compressor for all seasons at a price for all wallets."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Klanghelm DC8C 2 review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 196)
HoRNet 3Xover
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The range of corrective and creative uses this thing can be put to is endless… An essential."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: HoRNet 3Xover review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 196)
IK Multimedia iKlip Stand
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The iKlip Stand is a great mounting solution for the iPad musician. If only the claw was adjustable."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia iKlip Stand
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 196)
---
BUY: IK Multimedia iKlip Stand currently available from:
UK: Andertons | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Korg Volca Beats
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Perfect for producers that are tight on space but want quality analogue drums without breaking the bank."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Korg Volca Beats review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 271)
BUY: Korg Volca Beats currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Focusrite Scarlett 18i8
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Stylish and, by incorporating twin discrete headphone outs, well suited to modern working practices."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 271)
BUY: Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
AKG C1000 S
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A sound choice for a dependable and affordable all-rounder small-diaphragm condenser."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: AKG C1000 S review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 271)
BUY: AKG C1000 S currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Liine LiveControl 2 for iPad
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Futuristic and practical, flexible and portable, this is an Ableton Live controller everybody should try."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Liine LiveControl 2 for iPad review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 271)
Yamaha HS Series monitors
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A classic Yamaha look but with improved performance for today's studios."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Yamaha HS Series monitors review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 271)
BUY: Yamaha HS Series monitors currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater
Novation Bass Station II
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"They say never go back, but Novation has and we're all the better for it. Cheers!"
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Novation Bass Station II review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 271)
BUY: Novation Bass Station II currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Stanton DJC.4
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The perfect partner for Virtual DJ users, and a great feature-packed option for entry-level controller DJs."
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Stanton DJC.4 review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 271)
BUY: Stanton DJC.4 currently available from:
UK: DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Focusrite Scarlett 6i6
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"We like the way it looks, sounds and behaves and it is priced very competitively."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 271)
BUY: Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Korg Volca Bass
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"These are deservedly going to sell by the boatload and we can only imagine excitedly what Korg has in store around the corner."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Korg Volca Bass review
(Reviewed in Future Music issue 271)
BUY: Korg Volca Bass currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Olympus LS-14 Digital Recorder
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Obviously the LS-14 isn't an alternative to going into the studio, but it is a handy, relatively inexpensive way to ensure you capture those inspired moments of creativity without fail."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Olympus LS-14 Digital Recorder review
(Reviewed in Rhythm issue 271)
BUY: Olympus LS-14 Digital Recorder currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Full Compass
Sony Sound Forge Pro 11
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Perhaps not an essential upgrade for existing users, but clearly the best Sound Forge yet, with excellent bundled effects."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Sony Sound Forge Pro 11 review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 197)
BUY: Sony Sound Forge Pro 11 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
KMI QuNexus
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A personable little controller with a unique feature set that would make it a useful addition to any laptop bag."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: KMI QuNexus review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 197)
BUY: KMI QuNexus currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Audio Artery One DJ
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Showing plenty of promise in its initial release, with some improvements and refinements, One DJ could be a hit."
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Audio Artery One DJ review
(Reviewed in Computer Music issue 197)
MusicRadar is the number 1 website for music makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, djs or producers...
- GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high- quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.
- TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.
- STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music making that no other music website can.
“Training a model based on the 13-year-old Brenda Lee, using original masters, was both a challenge and a creative breakthrough”: BT on the new Spanish version of Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree that was made possible by his SoundLabs AI MicDrop plugin
"Manipulate any audio source into a hauntingly immersive soundscape": SSL releases Halloween-themed free plugin X-Orcism II: Voices from the Crypt